On Wednesday, 23rd January, the seventieth anniversary of the very first cross-code rugby game, former Hull Kingston Rovers and Great Britain star Alan Burwell will launch a brand new trophy to be competed for by the University of Hull’s rugby league and union sides. And for the first time, he will exclusively reveal the great secret of his rugby career at a public charity event that will raise money for both Rugby League Cares and Wooden Spoon.

At the launch of the Alan Burwell Cross-Code Challenge Cup, the man who scored Hull Kingston Rovers’ only try at the 1964 Challenge Cup Final will reveal his secret career as an undercover Rugby Union player.

The public forum will take place at Staff House at the University of Hull at 7.15pm on Wednesday 23 January. Alan will recall his days as an incognito union player in a round table rugby discussion chaired by the rugby historian Professor Tony Collins.

Also participating will be the former British Lion, England and Newcastle Falcons player John Bentley, who also played Rugby League for Leeds, Huddersfield and Balmain Tigers, and former Hull F.C. favourite and current England Rugby League Head Coach Steve McNamara.

Steve is a trustee of Rugby League Cares, the charitable foundation established by the Rugby Football League to support charity and community projects. John is Yorkshire’s Honorary President of Wooden Spoon, a charity that improves the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Britain and Ireland through rugby-related projects.

The event inaugurates the Alan Burwell Cross-Code Challenge Cup, a trophy that will be annually competed for at a charity match contested by the University of Hull’s rugby league and rugby union sides. Both clubs have played cross-code games in the past, but for pride rather than silverware, and Alan Burwell will personally hand over the cup to both club presidents. The Cup is generously sponsored by the rugby community, with Hull FC, Hull Kingston Rovers, Hull Rugby Football Club and the Wally Simpson Donation Fund administered by Hull and District Youth League, being permanent sponsors.

‘Alan’s story is one of the most fascinating stories in rugby’s hidden history,’ said Professor Collins. ‘Naming the new cross-code challenge trophy after Alan is a fitting tribute to one of Hull’s rugby greats.’

January 23rd is a fitting date for the event, as it will be the seventieth anniversary of the very first cross-code game in 1943, which saw the Army’s Northern Command Rugby Union play Northern Command Rugby League in a hard-fought battle at Headingley.

The forum is open to all members of the public, which will take place in the Lindsay Suite at Staff House, The University of Hull. Doors open to the public at 6:45 and the event will begin at 7:15pm. Entry is free, but all voluntary proceeds will be split between both Rugby League Cares and Wooden Spoon.

Victoria’s right, it’s going to be a great evening.Alan Burwell was a boyhood Hull FC fan who scored for Hull KR in the 1964 Challenge Cup final, played for Great Britain in the 1968 World Cup and then went to Australia where he captained Canterbury Bulldogs. Come and talk to him about a fascinating career.John Bentley came over from Sale rugby union to play for Leeds and went on to play for GB. Went union went pro he went back and played for union’s British Lions. He has a lot of interesting things to say about the contrast between us and them.And if you haven’t got any questions for Steve Mac...It’s for a great cause. RL Cares provides benevolent support for players with serious injuries, promotes fund-raising initiatives for charities and supports rugby league heritage. Come along and spend a quality couple of hours talking rugby - it’s the best offer you’ll have this Wednesday.

On Wednesday, 23rd January, the seventieth anniversary of the very first cross-code rugby game, former Hull Kingston Rovers and Great Britain star Alan Burwell will launch a brand new trophy to be competed for by the University of Hull’s rugby league and union sides. And for the first time, he will exclusively reveal the great secret of his rugby career at a public charity event that will raise money for both Rugby League Cares and Wooden Spoon.

At the launch of the Alan Burwell Cross-Code Challenge Cup, the man who scored Hull Kingston Rovers’ only try at the 1964 Challenge Cup Final will reveal his secret career as an undercover Rugby Union player.

The public forum will take place at Staff House at the University of Hull at 7.15pm on Wednesday 23 January. Alan will recall his days as an incognito union player in a round table rugby discussion chaired by the rugby historian Professor Tony Collins.

Also participating will be the former British Lion, England and Newcastle Falcons player John Bentley, who also played Rugby League for Leeds, Huddersfield and Balmain Tigers, and former Hull F.C. favourite and current England Rugby League Head Coach Steve McNamara.

Steve is a trustee of Rugby League Cares, the charitable foundation established by the Rugby Football League to support charity and community projects. John is Yorkshire’s Honorary President of Wooden Spoon, a charity that improves the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Britain and Ireland through rugby-related projects.

The event inaugurates the Alan Burwell Cross-Code Challenge Cup, a trophy that will be annually competed for at a charity match contested by the University of Hull’s rugby league and rugby union sides. Both clubs have played cross-code games in the past, but for pride rather than silverware, and Alan Burwell will personally hand over the cup to both club presidents. The Cup is generously sponsored by the rugby community, with Hull FC, Hull Kingston Rovers, Hull Rugby Football Club and the Wally Simpson Donation Fund administered by Hull and District Youth League, being permanent sponsors.

‘Alan’s story is one of the most fascinating stories in rugby’s hidden history,’ said Professor Collins. ‘Naming the new cross-code challenge trophy after Alan is a fitting tribute to one of Hull’s rugby greats.’

January 23rd is a fitting date for the event, as it will be the seventieth anniversary of the very first cross-code game in 1943, which saw the Army’s Northern Command Rugby Union play Northern Command Rugby League in a hard-fought battle at Headingley.

The forum is open to all members of the public, which will take place in the Lindsay Suite at Staff House, The University of Hull. Doors open to the public at 6:45 and the event will begin at 7:15pm. Entry is free, but all voluntary proceeds will be split between both Rugby League Cares and Wooden Spoon.